Summary
Soar Valley College invites applications for a new apprenticeship within their excellent Science Technician team, supporting teaching and learning across the large department.
Wage
£21,398 a year
We offer a range of benefits which will be discussed with you at interview stage
Training course
Laboratory technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Thursday, 8.00am - 4.00pm. Friday, 8.00am - 3.30pm. Term time only (38 weeks) plus 20 hours holiday time.
37 hours a week
Start date
Wednesday 19 August 2026
Duration
1 year 6 months
Positions available
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
The Technician Team supports the teaching and learning across the department, setting up and clearing away experiments, and ensuring resources are available. More specifically, the daily responsibilities are:
* To ensure students and teachers have the relevant materials and equipment which will assist their learning, deal with student requests and any last-minute changes.
* To prepare apparatus, chemicals and stock solutions for all science lessons as requested by teachers, schemes of work and worksheets, on a day-to-day basis, washing and storing glassware, etc., as and when required.
* To arrange and collect items from various outlets, e.g. hearts, lungs, maggots, plants, buy basic chemicals needed, e.g. sugar, salt, batteries.
* To assist in the setting up of databases, re-planning of department resources, recommending improvements in the replacement of materials and assisting in deciding appropriate action, often when minimal information is provided.
* To assist in researching new and replacement equipment and materials, taking telephone calls from suppliers and contractors, ordering supplies, recommending improvements and dealing with queries where able to do so to help the Science department meet curriculum requirements.
* To ensure the setting up and clearing away of resources, equipment and materials used is carried out correctly, reducing potential injury and inherent hazards to the students, teachers and yourself. This will sometimes involve working with acids and hazardous items (associated with science labs), and strict handling procedures must be adhered to at all times, especially when clearing up any spillages.
* To be accountable for the safe and correct storage of equipment, chemicals and other supplies in accordance with Health & Safety guidance. Equipment must be monitored and checked, and be suitable for class use. Plants must be cared for, ready for experiments and observations, and stock control on all equipment.
* To arrange for the disposal of biological and chemical residues and other waste as laid down by Health and Safety Codes of Practice, carrying out routine safety checks on apparatus and materials as necessary.
* To support the teacher in the classroom and when visiting another school or local science groups, and occasionally help students with their projects.
* To mentor and provide guidance for new members of staff.
* To undertake training as and when required.
Where you'll work
SOAR VALLEY COLLEGE
GLENEAGLES AVENUE
LEICESTER
LE4 7GY
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
LOUGHBOROUGH COLLEGE
Training course
Laboratory technician (level 3)
What you'll learn
Course contents
* Comply with health and safety policies and procedures including HASWA, COSHH, risk assessments, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), manual handling, emergency procedures.
* Maintain excellent housekeeping, in accordance with organisation Standard Procedures
* Order and control stocks of laboratory materials where required
* Identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks applying the concepts of resource efficiency e.g energy, water and waste
* Adhere to internal and external regulatory requirements e.g. GLP, GMP, GDP
* Prepare for, and perform, laboratory experiments, tests or tasks following any specified methodologies to provide reliable, accurate data e.g. weighing, pipetting, filtering, spectroscopic techniques, chromatography techniques
* Demonstrate technical competence in the use of specified instruments and equipment
* Report faults and seek diagnostic advice to maintain equipment in good working order, including calibration where required
* Complete documentation proficiently
* Keep accurate records of laboratory work undertaken and results
* Contribute to the preparation of reports.
* Use simple statistical techniques for data presentation and evaluation e. g calculation of median and standard deviation, production of graphs
* Demonstrate problem solving techniques including identification of sources of error and how they can be reduced e.g. human error
* Use standard software packages and applications e.g. Microsoft Office suite
* Use Laboratory Information Management systems to support their work
* Address non-routine problems with samples and instrumentation, within defined areas
* Identify relevant information from scientific sources e.g. supervisors, literature etc. in order to contribute to solutions
* Participate in continuous performance improvement of systems and processes relevant to the work environment e.g. workplace organisation techniques, accreditation (e.g. ISO, UKAS) and proficiency testing.
* Evaluate data, recognise and call attention to anomalous or unusual results
* Comply with health and safety policies and procedures including HASWA, COSHH, risk assessments, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), manual handling, emergency procedures.
* Maintain excellent housekeeping, in accordance with organisation Standard Procedures
* Order and control stocks of laboratory materials where required
* Identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks applying the concepts of resource efficiency e.g energy, water and waste
* Adhere to internal and external regulatory requirements e.g. GLP, GMP, GDP
* Prepare for, and perform, laboratory experiments, tests or tasks following any specified methodologies to provide reliable, accurate data e.g. weighing, pipetting, filtering, spectroscopic techniques, chromatography techniques
* Demonstrate technical competence in the use of specified instruments and equipment
* Report faults and seek diagnostic advice to maintain equipment in good working order, including calibration where required
* Complete documentation proficiently
* Keep accurate records of laboratory work undertaken and results
* Contribute to the preparation of reports.
* Use simple statistical techniques for data presentation and evaluation e. g calculation of median and standard deviation, production of graphs
* Demonstrate problem solving techniques including identification of sources of error and how they can be reduced e.g. human error
* Use standard software packages and applications e.g. Microsoft Office suite
* Use Laboratory Information Management systems to support their work
* Address non-routine problems with samples and instrumentation, within defined areas
* Identify relevant information from scientific sources e.g. supervisors, literature etc. in order to contribute to solutions
* Participate in continuous performance improvement of systems and processes relevant to the work environment e.g. workplace organisation techniques, accreditation (e.g. ISO, UKAS) and proficiency testing.
* Evaluate data, recognise and call attention to anomalous or unusual results
Training schedule
* The accredited training will be delivered by Loughborough College.
* Protected study time will be given and full support from your colleagues. You will also have one-to-one learning sessions with your tutor.
* You will be assigned a mentor and a learning buddy to help you to succeed, as it is really important to us.
* On successful completion of your studies, you will achieve the level 3 Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
* English (grade 4-9 (A*-C))
* Maths (grade 4-9 (A*-C))
* Science (grade 5-9 (A*-B))
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
* Communication skills
* IT skills
* Attention to detail
* Organisation skills
* Customer care skills
* Problem solving skills
* Administrative skills
* Number skills
* Logical
* Team working
* Creative
* Initiative
* Non judgemental
* Patience
* Highly accurate
* Good time management abilities
* Good sense of humour
Other requirements
Soar Valley College is committed to safeguarding & promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks/ other relevant employment checks. If shortlisted, you will receive a call from us. If you don't hear from us and would like feedback, please email sarah.cripps@saladskills.co.uk.